11/12/16 HaHA

Part I: Introduction to the Problem

Who can be perceived as sheltered/homeless: Single Adults, Adult Families, Adults with
children
60,373 homeless individuals currently in NY--- Families with children compose the largest of
these (circa 41,467 about 70%), there are about 23,000 children who are homeless (This does not
include the children that are in the foster home system).
There is a variation in the homeless population during the various seasons. But the larger
question is where and how this variation affects these populations. There is definitely some
seasonal variation in the presence of homeless people.
Right to housing No one is guaranteed this.
Right to shelter NY is the only city in the US that has this policy. Doesnt matter who you are
you can get shelter.
The crisis of homelessness is not a tragedy that is unique to NY, there are other cities in the US
that are affected in this as well (i.e. Hawaii).
Are People Who Are Homeless Lazy and Dont Want to Get a Job
There are some people who would like to be more stable but it is hard to get through the
bureaucracy (The system is kind of rigged against those who are suffering as a result of
it).
The system is really circuitous.
It is very subjective to judge an individuals ambition/drive to do things
When we see a homeless person we do not take into account the various experiences they
may have gone through. And when all of this is factored into ones perception of this
person, that is when one is capable of understanding how being homeless can affect the
life of those who are homeless
No one wants to be homeless.
33% of people who are homeless and in shelters are actually working. They just cant
make enough money to get out of their current situation.
Are All People Who Are Homeless Addicted to Alcohol and Mental?
Opinions: Some people have tried to make money and cant make it and as a result fall
into bad behavior.
There are people who have mental and drug issues, but the largest culprit of
homelessness are evictions
Are all Panhandlers Homeless
Opinion: The problem is that one cant tell just by looking at someone.

 Everyone who is panhandling is not homeless. There are some people who do it just to
make ends meet.
Part II: Training
In order to be part of the fight against homelessness we should be willing to be a part of different
solutions to the problem.
Department of Homeless Services:
5 contracted outreach providers as well as the subway systems
Substance abuse and mental health are some of the reasons why some homeless people
do not want o enter shelters.
Some do not like 10pm shelter curfew, so a more inclusive shelter was created that dealt
away with this curfew.
Noticed that the street numbers were going down but the number of homeless people in
the subways began to grow. So the department started reaching out to homeless people in
the subway stations, and as a result of this saw a 15% decrease in homelessness in the
subway shelters.
311 system & the 311 Appability to contact an outreach team. If you are concerned
about someone who is out on the street you can call the outreach team to come and help
them enter shelters. Has a response time of about an hour.
Use to focus on chronically street homeless people but now are focusing on every
homeless person.
Familys Division:
107 shelters within the 5 boroughs of NY. Family with children, of which none are over
18 years old. Some shelters are contracted and some are not.
The goal is to get homeless persons into private housing at the end of their program.
Hopes to move homeless peoples into permanent housing afterwards.
Average length of stay is a little bit over a year.
HPD (Not this group) has allocated a few subsidized housing specially for homeless
families.
Have two types of subsidize programs that help people move into various housing
communities.
SNAP:
Has income guidelines, as a result it is important to not automatically tell someone that
they may not qualify for SANP, instead one should direct a person to a SNAP center so
that professionals can work with those in need.
Cant buy beer, hot foods, etc. only groceries.
A person can even apply for cash assistance which can help with Medicaid.
You can go online to apply for SNAP benefits, do not have to o in to an office.
Once a month allocation. It doesnt matter how much you spend; the deduction amounts
are the same across the board.

City Mission:
Faith (Christian) based nonprofit that wants to meet basic needs.
Have tutoring events hosted by college and high school students helping homeless
children.
College students create care packages (i.e. deodorant, tampons, etc.) for those at
shelters.
Very simple take at a larger problem that is quite effective.